Archaia

BOOM! Studios’ and it’s acquired imprint of ARCHAIA have teased new JIM HENSON material for 2014. In the past Archai has done such Henson properties as Fraggle Rock, Jim Henson’s The Storyteller, and the first two volumes of THE DARK CRYSTAL prequel/histories graphic novels.

This is interesting, considering Jim Henson Studios are part of the Disney family, which recently announced that they would be moving the Disney acquired STAR WARS comics to the Disney owned MARVEL COMICS. Personally, I’ve loved Archaia’s Henson projects, especially the Dark Crystal books, and am glad that the project will stay in house.

ABOUT ARCHAIA Archaia (archaia.com), an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as MOUSE GUARD, RUST, COW BOY, CURSED PIRATE GIRL, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, and ARTESIA. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND and such beloved tales as THE DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and FRAGGLE ROCK. In addition to its partnership with Henson, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as BLEEDOUT and HAWKEN (video games), IMMORTALS and PLANET OF THE APES (film), and SPACE: 1999 (television). Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, including THE KILLER, Sergio Toppi’s SHARAZ-DE: TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS, and THE SECRET HISTORY. In June 2013, Archaia was acquired by BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com). Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent.

The third installment of the digital-only issue for the HAWKEN: GENESIS series available exclusively through comiXology on Jan. 16, 2013

Los Angeles, CA (Jan. 16, 2013) – Following the successful launch of the free-to-play online video game HAWKEN™in December, award-winning graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment and free-to-play video game publisher Meteor Entertainment are rewarding fans for their dedication and support by offering an exclusive, digital-only issue of HAWKEN: GENESIS for FREE.

This latest installment will only be made available through comiXology—the revolutionary digital comics platform—with no plans for a printed edition. Previous installments have offered an early look at chapters featured in Archaia’s forthcoming hardcover graphic novel, HAWKEN: GENESIS. The full-length original graphic novelis written by Jeremy Barlow with concept by Khang Le, story by Dan Jevons, and illustration by Kody Chamberlain, Federico Dallocchio, Nathan Fox, Michael Gaydos, Bagus Hutomo, Sid Kotian, Khang Le, Christopher Moeller, Alex Sanchez, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Francisco Ruiz Velasco. It will debut March 2013.

This exclusive short story is available across comiXology’s entire digital comics platform including the iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, and the Web. “No Witness So Dreadful” features story and cover by the game’s creator and creative director, Khang Le, with illustration by Hoang Nguyen and Kinsun Loh (Carbon Grey). It can be accessed through comiXology via this link: http://www.comixology.com/Hawken-Genesis-3/digital-comic/DIG002883.

HAWKEN is a free-to-play multiplayer mech first-person shooter developed by Adhesive Games and published by Meteor Entertainment. HAWKEN entered Open Beta on December 12, 2012 (12.12.12). HAWKEN creates an intense and enjoyable battle experience that captures the feeling of piloting a heavy war machine while keeping the action fast-paced and strategic. HAWKEN brings the quality of a AAA title to the free-to-play sector. HAWKEN has been called one of the most anticipated games of 2012, winning more than 22 press awards at industry events. For more information, visit http://www.playhawken.com.

About Archaia Entertainment, LLC Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, Return of the Dapper Men, Rust, Bolivar, Gunnerkrigg Court, Old City Blues, Awakening, The Killer, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels such as The Dark Crystal, The Storyteller, and Fraggle Rock. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year by Ain’t it Cool News, Comic Related, and Graphic Policy, which honored the publisher two years in a row. Archaia was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations and two Awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Anthology. In 2012, Archaia has been further honored with six Harvey Award nominations, two Harvey Awards, six Eisner nominations and three Eisner Awards, and both Gold and Silver awards from ForeWord Reviews. In addition to publications, Archaia has successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media. For more information, visit the Archaia website at www.archaia.com.

About Meteor Entertainment™ Based in Seattle, Meteor Entertainment is a newly-formed video game publisher focused on successfully publishing free-to-play games globally, with an emphasis on compelling content and setting the standard for customer service and community engagement. Meteor Entertainment’s first tent pole title is HAWKEN, developed by Adhesive Games entered Open Beta on December 12, 2012 (12.12.12). To learn more about Meteor Entertainment, visit http://www.meteor-ent.com.

About comiXology Founded in 2007 with the mission of bringing comics to people everywhere, comiXology has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel world. With the development of the comiXology digital comics platform—with buy-once, read-anywhere availability across iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows 8 and the Web—comiXology provides the easiest way worldwide for people to enjoy comics anywhere they happen to be! Regularly ranking as the top grossing iPad app in the entire iTunes App Store, comiXology is one of the leading drivers of the iPad economy. Providing the most digital comics on the most devices, comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the planet has been turned into a comic book fan.

Captain Douglas Pistoia and his men have disobeyed orders and are now in open rebellion against their employers. A special group of veterans is dispatched on their trail, with orders to remove them once and for all and prevent them from revealing the bloody covert ops campaign conducted by MBS in Latin America. But appearances can be deceiving, for the hunt for Pistoia’s renegade Cyclops team is breaking all previous audience viewing records…

M – MATURE (18 and up, may contain nudity, profanity, excessive violence and other content not suitable for minors)

Operation Kadesh. 1956: In the Egyptian desert, Curtis settles accounts and conducts his personal crusade to avenge the death of this wife Nimue, the mother of Pandora, putting him on a collision course with General Nasser and the Condor as they try to retrieve the secrets buried in the Red Fort, where it all began. But the Archons do not control events they way they once did. Meanwhile, in Budapest, a new player arrives and changes the course of history.

M – MATURE (18 and up, may contain nudity, profanity, excessive violence and other
content not suitable for minors)

A pre-apocalyptic tale, Everlast follows Derek Everlast, a man whose destiny in life is guiding others to a place of rebirth for mankind called Haven. Following an instinct called the Nudge, bestowed on him by a higher power, Derek is guided to the next chosen human destined to survive, a little girl named Melissa. In a harrowing adventure, he must deliver her safely to Haven before the End of Days. Everlast tells a story of choice, love, friendship, and, most of all, survival. Will you be chosen? Created and written by actor Chad Michael Murray (“One Tree Hill.”)
T – TEEN (12 and up, may contain mild violence or mild profanity)

Homicide Detective William Zhu has just made the arrest of his career. With the apprehension of Richard Pickman he has solved over 100 missing child cases, some of which date back over 30 years. The excavation of Pickman’s basement reveals horrors beyond imagination—the bodies of children mutilated in bizarre satanic rites. Frustrated with his role of clean-up man to the detritus of the world, Zhu makes what may be a fatal mistake: He decides to kill Pickman. Fatal, for Richard Pickman is no ordinary psychopath. The rituals he performed were not the work of a madman but sacrifices made to a very real demon. A demon who has granted Pickman near immortality. Killing Pickman is going to be a lot tougher than Zhu could have imagined. It may not even be possible.

M – MATURE (18 and up, may contain nudity, profanity, excessive violence and other
content not suitable for minors)

Known for its reputation for publishing beautifully designed, high-quality hardcover graphic novels, Archaia ensures the Awakening Omnibus will be produced under the same high standard of quality in an eye-catching, sturdy and durable softcover volume.

Awakening Omnibus, by writer Nick Tapalansky and artist Alex Eckman-Lawn, tells the story of a small town besieged by a series of bizarre deaths. When the town crazy suggests a zombie outbreak, retired detective Derrick Peters sets out on an investigation that will prove whether this witness is truly insane, or whether reality itself has a taken a bizarre turn into the macabre. The Omnibus collects material previously published in two hardcover volumes.

“The Awakening Omnibus softcover is the perfect way to introduce this title to new readers, especially since copies of the Volume 1 hardcover are no longer available at our distributors,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “Our intention is to open Archaia to a new market of readers who may have never read one of our books before, and with softcovers, we believe we can entice that group to give us a try.”

The Awakening Omnibus (softcover, full color, 320 pages, $24.95, ISBN-13: 9781936393213) goes on sale Sept. 7 in comic book shops, but Tapalansky and Eckman-Lawn will debut copies of the book at Baltimore Comic Con on Aug. 20-21, held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Archaia plans to continue offering quality softcover titles in the months to come, including Fraggle Rock Classics Vol. 1, a digest-sized collection of Fraggle Rock comics from the 1980s. Subsequent softcover titles will be announced for release in 2012.

About Archaia Entertainment
Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, The Killer, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, Engineer, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related, and was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.

Leading Graphic Novel Publisher Appoints Respected Comic Book Writer And Videogame Veteran To Top Post

Chicago (April 14, 2011) – Leading graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment, LLC has named distinguished videogame veteran and comic book writer Mike Kennedy as Publisher, as recently announced by PJ Bickett, CEO. Kennedy’s appointment comes at a time of dramatic growth for Archaia, as the company has successfully grown into an award winning house of original content, which includes such breakout hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, and Tumor. Kennedy’s experience will play a key role in Archaia’s expanded focus on device- and app-based publishing, as well as digital and interactive development.

Kennedy joins Archaia with a distinguished 20-year career in the comic book and videogame industries, including high-profile writing assignments with such leading comic book publishers as Dark Horse and DC. His writing credits encompass numerous notable and high-profile titles such as Star Wars (Dark Horse); Superman (DC); Aliens Vs. Predator (20th Century Fox/Dark Horse) and Aeon Flux (Dark Horse/MTV). Kennedy has also earned industry-wide recognition for his innovative work developing original videogame IP’s for such major players as Electronic Arts, Namco, Activision and 3DO.

“Since day one, our focus has been on recruiting the best talent for all facets of our business. Mike fits well within that core objective, which includes a proven track record of leadership that he now brings to Archaia. We are pleased to welcome Mike aboard as Archaia’s publisher,” said Bickett.

As publisher, Kennedy will oversee and manage all aspects of Archaia’s production schedule, marketing initiatives and distribution process, including significant digital outreach, reporting back to Bickett.

About Archaia Entertainment
Archaia Entertainment, LLC is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, The Killer, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, Engineer, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. As a result of its publishing prowess, Archaia is the reigning 2010 Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related, and was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.

Archaia will release the Immortals graphic novel in September, serving as a precursor to the 3-D motion picture, which releases worldwide on November 11, 2011. The graphic novel will expand upon the film’s key characters and events through a series of original tales written and illustrated by some of the top names in comics, including David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Dennis Calero (Dark Tower) and Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night). The graphic novel will be published through Archaia’s Black Label division, a publishing pipeline dedicated to working alongside creative professionals within the entertainment industry eager to launch and expand their brands in the publishing world.

“We could not be more proud to form our creative partnership with Archaia, a publisher that has successfully earned industry-wide acclaim for its commitment to quality and fans of genre entertainment. Archaia possesses all of the creative resources required to perfectly capture the film’s artistic and narrative essence,” said artistic and narrative essence,” said Peter Adee, President, Theatrical Marketing &Distribution, Relativity Media .

The Relativity-Archaia partnership was facilitated by Joe LeFavi of Quixotic Transmedia, who spearheads business development for Archaia’s Black Label division. “We are thrilled to have found such an amazing partner in Relativity. Working closely with the film’s creative team, we are working hard to expand upon the mythology and reach a level of quality worthy of such a visionary storyteller as the film’s director, Tarsem Singh. We are honored that Relativity chose Archaia to introduce fans across the globe to such a rich and visually stunning world,” said LeFavi, who will also serve as executive editor on the graphic novel.
Archaia will hold a panel at the WonderCon in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, April 2 from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM in Room 220 of the Moscone Center South to celebrate their collaboration with Relativity Media on Immortals, and share more details about their creative team and special promotions surrounding the book’s release. Later that afternoon, members of the cast will also be on hand to debut exclusive footage and host a panel discussion at 4:00 PM in the Main Hall.

Directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall) and written by Charles Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides, Immortals also stars Stephen Dorff (Public Enemies) and John Hurt (Hellboy). Relativity Media is distributing the 3-D epic worldwide. In the UK, Australia, and certain other territories, distribution is in association with Universal Pictures International. In Immortals, the ruthless King Hyperion (Rourke) leads his bloodthirsty army on a murderous rampage across Greece to find a deadly weapon that will destroy humanity. A mortal chosen by Zeus named Theseus (Cavill) must lead the fight against Hyperion and his evil army with the fate of mankind and the Gods at stake.

About Relativity Media:
Relativity Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company that focuses on creating, financing and distributing entertainment content and intellectual property across multiple platforms, as well as making strategic partnerships with, and opportunistic investments in, media and entertainment-related companies and assets. Relativity owns and operates Rogue, a company that specializes in the production and distribution of films targeted to the 13-25 year old audience. Building upon its foundation of financing and producing films, Relativity has grown to include music, sports and television divisions and the next-generation social network iamrogue.com. Relativity also owns and operates RelativityREAL, Relativity’s television arm, which has become one of the leading suppliers of reality television with more than 20 shows in episodic or pilot.

To date, Relativity has committed to, produced and/or financed more than 200 motion pictures. Released films have accumulated more than $15.0 billion in worldwide box office revenue. Relativity’s recent films include Salt, Despicable Me, Grown Ups, Charlie St. Cloud, Dear John, It’s Complicated, Zombieland, Couples Retreat, Get Him to the Greek, Robin Hood, and, most recently, The Fighter, Little Fockers, James Cameron’s Sanctum in 3D, Season of the Witch, Take Me Home Tonight, Limitless, and The Social Network. Upcoming films for Relativity include Immortals, Shark Night 3-D, Hop, Bridesmaids, and Cowboys & Aliens. 35 of the company’s films have opened at No. 1 at the box office. Relativity films have earned 60 Oscar® nominations, including nods for Nine, A Serious Man, Frost/Nixon, Atonement, American Gangster and 3:10 to Yuma, The Wolfman, The Social Network and The Fighter. 53 of Relativity’s films have each generated more than $100 million in worldwide box-office receipts.

About Archaia Entertainment
Archaia Entertainment, LLC is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Artesia, Mouse Guard, The Killer, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, Titanium Rain, Days Missing, Tumor, Syndrome, Engineer, and the entire line of Jim Henson graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. As a result of its publishing prowess, Archaia is the reigning 2010 Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy, and Comic Related. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.

Indie comics are the way to go this week. Check inside for more details.

It’s a few days before Christmas, Have you done all of your shopping? Here are a few goodies for yourself….

Now on to a rapid fire session of the Weekly Hot Picks…..

Independent comics are ruling the land this week. A few weeks back InvestComics told you about a very cool book on the WHP from 11-24-10 called Cyclops #1 (Archaia). It was pushed back until this week, so nothing different here, pick it up! Untouchable – One Shot (Dynamite) looks like an interesting pick up from writer Mike Carey of Marvel’s X-Men. Red hot series Morning Glories (Image) reaches its fifth issue already. Pick up these early issue’s of Morning Glories, something special going on here. Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook makes his debut into the comic book world, thanks to Blue Water comics. Also from Blue Water comics is Styx & Stone #1, check that one out as well.

The biggest Indie book this week goes to the much covered Archie #616. Many news outlets and other media have covered this comic well before its release this week. President Obama teams up with Sarah Palin in part 1 of Campaign Pair. That’s real sweet that they are sharing a shake from the same cup, wonder how the First Lady and Todd feel about this. Anyway, pick this collector’s item up, it just may be the first time that a former president, and a new president appear on the same cover at the same time.

Marvel comes at us with Iron Man #33. The Finale to Stark: Resilient storyline. Marvel says that the last 3 pages of this one will be “shocking”. Looking forward to getting zapped!

Check out the latest InvestComics TV episode which comes out December 22. Every Wednesday is new comic book day and every Wednesday we will have a new show for you! This week, Neal Adams Part 2 of 4! Boy is this one good! Look for extra episodes coming out periodically during the week as well. Have you seen the new InvestComics TV web site yet? It’s a work in progress, but check it out. www.investcomicstv.com. First quarter of 2011, ICTV web site will be in full tilt! We’ll see you there.

Canada’s First Super Team takes Flight this week on InvestComics. Plus check out some more picks this week!

Chaos War Alpha Flight #1 will propel Canada’s team into their own series down the line eventually. Marvel will get the outcry for a new series, and they will respond. Alpha Flight has always been a favorite amongst fans. Look for the first appearance before Marvel picks up the ball again on this team. The first appearance would be found in Uncanny X-Men 120 (1979). Comics Price Guide.com has this listed at only $100! A very nice bargain! Also check out John Byrne’s classic run on the self titled series beginning with Alpha Flight #1 from 1983. This comic was once the hottest number one issue of all the land back in the 80’s. Get this comic for only $4 today.

Eric Masterson makes his way back to a number one issue in Thunderstrike #1. Check out his first appearance from 1988 in Thor #391. This comic is only $3. Don’t look for the market to reach new heights with this comic. Just a decent first appearance in a Thor book.

The gimmick machine hits this week, and it looks like X-Men #4 second print would be guilty of this. A cool looking sideways cover. Anyone who is a bi-product of the 90’s immediately thinks of Rob Liefeld as the first guy to do the sideways cover and interior art. Wrong! Looks like John Byrne beats most to the punch with his 1983 Fantastic Four #252. Coming in at only $6, this isn’t bad for a “first” gimmick comic done by a legend. Buy it, enjoy it, save it.